Local media said that at least 47 people were killed and dozens more injured after the blaze raged through one of the cars of the Tamil Nadu Express train near Nellore in the state of Andhra Pradesh on Monday.
Officials said there were 72 passengers in the burned car and that the death toll could rise further.
Rescue forces were dispatched to the scene of the incident to help the affected people.
An investigation has been launched into the incident to find the cause of the fire.
“We are unable to identify the cause of the fire yet — it might have been a short circuit, it might have been due to someone carrying inflammable materials on the train,” said Railways Ministry spokeswoman Chandralekha Mukherjee.
Indian railways have a poor safety record and such accidents are common in the South Asian country.
DB/MA/HJL
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